Page:Chesterton - The Club of Queer Trades.djvu/173

Speculation of the House-Agent as Rupert sprang up, slapping both his thighs.

"Well, by all that's good, he cried. "This is a sign from heaven."

"It's certainly very extraordinary," said Basil, quietly, with knitted brows. "It's odd the fellow should have given a false address, considering he was perfectly innocent in the—"

"Oh, you jolly old early Christian duffer," cried Rupert, in a sort of rapture, "I don't wonder you couldn't be a judge. You think every one as good as yourself. Isn't the thing plain enough now? A doubtful acquaintance, rowdy stories, a most suspicious conversation, mean streets, a concealed knife, a man nearly killed, and, finally, a false address. That's what we call glaring goodness."

"It's certainly very extraordinary," repeated Basil. And he strolled moodily about the room. Then he said: "You are quite sure, constable, that there's no mistake? You got the address right, and the police have really gone to it and found it was a fraud?" 155